Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild - The Penalty Kill Stinks
by Derek Zona on Oct 14, 2010 10:40 PM MDT
in Game Reports
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PrintFrom all that we went through?
Or was it worth the same
To do again?
--The Statler Brothers, "Here We Are Again"
The top six had a nice night, let's get that out of the way first. Dustin Penner - Sam Gagner - Ales Hemsky looked a step slow in the first period but they weren't out of the game and their play picked up steadily through the game. The second line was also quite good, though Taylor Hall's chaos seems very out of place compared to Jordan Eberle's skating Tai Chi.
The fourth line put an effort in and looked miles better than the third line, but they were still in tough. It's not their fault though, they shouldn't be out against the opponent's first or second line - ever.
But the big story is the penalty kill. I know, I know, you're all shocked that the Oilers penalty kill may be a tiny bit below average. I know you were expecting those off-season penalty killer signings of ... oh and .... right, to immediately contribute. The only thing missing from the return to the last two seasons was a post-game interview in which Ethan Moreau blames Anton Lander for the team's failures.
The Good:
- Shawn Horcoff was fantastic everywhere except the faceoff circle. He was skating well, he was on the puck, he made a number of excellent defensive zone plays, covering for Taylor Hall in particular at least twice. He had a couple of dandy steals as well.
- The Gagner line was very good. They controlled the puck and the zone. Dustin Penner had four shots on goal, including a beauty one-timer on a set-up from Ales Hemsky.
The Bad:
- Kevin Lowe / Steve Tambellini's personnel management is biting the team in the tucchus for the fourth year in a row. I'm beginning to tire of writing about it, but the team desperately misses Marty Reasoner or Mike Peca or Jarret Stoll. Someone, anyone, that can play on this third line between Paajarvi and Brule, win a faceoff and kill penalties. The Andrew Cogliano as NHL center experiment should've lost funding eighteen months ago.
- In a hard-hitting interview at intermission, Gene Principe asked Steve Tambellini what exactly his job is now that there is no trade deadline or free agency. Tambellini's answer, and I'm not kidding "we're in a period of assesment".
The Ugly:
- A penalty killer, a penalty killer, Andrew Cogliano for a penalty killer! Well, not just a penalty killer, but someone that can also win faceoffs and win a puck battle or two or three. The penalty kill was horrific against the Wild, but one would expect this as the Wild have a great Finn on their power play and the Oilers have one experienced penalty-killing forward and zero high-level penalty killers on the blue. My solution for this is simple - put Brule and Cogliano out together to kill penalties. They spend the majority of their night in the defensive zone and a good shift for them is a dump out to the neutral zone, so they already have the stategy down pat.
- Kurtis Foster and Ryan Whitney were abysmal tonight. NHL.com has the Oilers down for four total giveaways, but I counted five from Foster alone. Foster was 0-6 in scoring chances, Whitney was 2-7 and Foster took two lazy penalties which, for the Edmonton Oilers, count for .5 GA each. Maybe it was the return to Minnesota or something but that was an awful performance. The Oilers defense could sure use a veteran penalty killer and second minutes guy like Sheldon Souray. They should look him up and see if he's available.
- Everything about the Oilers third line except for Brule in the faceoff circle. Brule won four of his five faceoffs and that was it. Cogliano won one of seven in the circle for an impressive 14%. Cogliano's single game Corsi was (-7), Paajarvi's (-6) and Brule's (-4) in just twelve minutes for Cogliano and slightly under twelve minutes for Brule at even strength. They were 0-3, 0-4 and 0-3 in scoring chances at even strength. Either find them some protection or break that line up. Which bring us to...
- Tom Renney's Rawhide methods are great for evaluation or a Steve Tambellini assessment, but as they've proven already, Steve Tambellini assessments don't win hockey games. At 14:53 of the first period, the Cogliano line found their way into the offensive zone, actually maintained possession and got a shot on net for the freeze. Down 1-0 in the first with an offensive faceoff, does noted strategist Tom Renney call for Horcoff with Hall and Eberle or Gagner with Penner and Hemsky? Neither. Renney doesn't tap anyone on the shoulder, he just yells out "Move 'em on, head 'em up, Head 'em up, move 'em out!" and over the boards comes Jones - Fraser - Stortini. Would anyone like to guess what happened next? Fraser won the faceoff but Whitney missed the net, Minnesota carried it in to the offensive zone and got a shot and a shot blocked. He continues put Gilbert Brule and Andrew Cogliano out on the power play as a third unit. It's the regular season now fellas, the time to "see what we have" is over. Start coaching like you mean it.
Below is the Head-to-Head Even Strength Ice Time courtesy of Vic Ferrari at Time On Ice, the table is sortable by Oilers sweater number:
| 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 35 | 46 | 49 | 67 | 77 | 83 | 89 | 91 | |
| ZIDLICKY | 4.6 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 4.7 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 11.4 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 2.4 |
| ZANON | 4.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 4.8 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 4.7 | 6.7 | 1.6 | 11.4 | 1.8 | 4.7 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 2.1 |
| CULLEN | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 5.1 | 3 | 1.8 | 11.2 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 5.7 |
| BURNS | 3.1 | 4.3 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 14.6 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 6.2 | 8 | 4 | 3.9 | 5.9 |
| KOIVU | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 5.7 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 1.4 | 10.8 | 1.5 | 4 | 3.3 | 4 | 3.6 | 4 | 3.8 |
| MADDEN | 1.7 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 7.1 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 1.1 |
| KOBASEW | 1.8 | 3 | 3.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 7.9 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
| BRUNETTE | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3 | 2.2 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 9.4 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 2.4 |
| STAUBITZ | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2 |
| MIETTINEN | 2.2 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 5 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 10.1 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.9 |
| BRODZIAK | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 3.4 |
| CLUTTERBUCK | 2 | 2.2 | 3 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 3 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 9.5 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 3 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| NYSTROM | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 8.1 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 1 |
| HAVLAT | 3.7 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 2.1 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 4 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 13.2 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| BARKER | 3.7 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 3 | 4 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 11.9 | 1.9 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 5 |
| BACKSTROM | 11.3 | 10.7 | 12.1 | 15.6 | 10.6 | 11.7 | 11.1 | 6.2 | 13.5 | 11.8 | 5.6 | 37.9 | 5.3 | 13.4 | 11.9 | 14 | 11.4 | 12 | 13 |
| FALK | 3.7 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 12 | 1.9 | 5 | 4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 4.7 |
| LATENDRESSE | 4.6 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 11.1 | 0.5 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 5.5 |
| SCHULTZ | 3 | 4.6 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 4 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 14.9 | 1.6 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 5.9 |
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Only one quibble: Brule’s faceoffs weren’t the only good part about the third line tonight as Paajarvi’s backchecking is already amongst the best on the team. Twice I saw him fly back at full speed to break up a 2-on-1, and the second time not only did he break it up but he stole the puck. At 19 this kid works hard at both ends of the rink and that’s something worth noting.
You are absolutely correct. I should have said the only worthwhile thing about 13 and 67. Paajarvi needs to find a new line.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I suggest Kane and Toews. He deserves it.
by Benjamin Massey on Oct 14, 2010 11:15 PM MDT up reply actions
Fun fact: Fernando Pisani is making less money this year than Jean-Francois Jacques.
by Benjamin Massey on Oct 14, 2010 11:09 PM MDT reply actions
In the same way a live hand grenade can make a difference in your own bunker right?
In theory, there is little difference between practice and theory, but in practice there is!
This team needs more players that handle the puck like a live hand grenade. Jacques could be a team leader in that respect.
by Yeti# on Oct 15, 2010 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think Yeti may be my favourite commenter now.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Fun fact: I will never ever shut up about Fernando Pisani. It is impossible.
by Benjamin Massey on Oct 15, 2010 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions
The X was roaring tonight, fellas. The energy in that place tonight was crazy and frankly I’m not surprised by the outcome. I was biting my nails on every PK and for good reason. The passing was rough throughout and it was a tough game to be at being an Oiler fan.
I really do live in the worst area to be an Oiler fan as the only games I’m able to see are games against the Wild. Maybe if I was a Wild fan my life would be a little easier, as I’ve never seen them lose…
Don't just be a fan, be a fanatic.
PK was so bad…….so bad……And Cogs and Brule are making Paajarvi look bad too. I mean the kid shouldnt have to back-check the way he does. That is a center’s job. Poor guy has to make up for his linemate’s mistakes.
Sins can be forgiven but conscience is a killer.
leaving aside the general principle that everyone should put in an effort backchecking…
i think it’s fair to say that any player with paajumlaut’s speed should be expected to back-check like a maniac. unlike your average bear, pajo can actually reasonably expect to catch up to guys that got a head start; his back-checking probably has more value than anyone else’s.
by Passive Voice on Oct 15, 2010 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions
1. “paajumlaut”. awesome.
2. agreed, although really, backchecking is required by all, especially if you’re not top tier talent (read: 95% of the league). if you want to play against the toughs (or anyone, really), you have to take away time and space. “back pressure” is a buzzword these days for that.
3. I, too, feel for paajumlaut having to play with those two, but not because of having to backcheck. It’s because they’re so uncreative with the puck on the rush. Time after time (if they don’t turn it over in the neutral zone) its just; fly down wing and either shoot ineffectively, of “pass” it through the slot in hopes of connecting. I think this is one of the reasons we’re noticing 91’s backchecking: his linemates are turnover machines.
My Line Blender
Based on 3 games
Penner – Gagner – Hemsky
Paajarvi – Horcoff – Eberle
Jones – Fraser – Brule
Hall – Cogliano – Stortini
Is it me or has Vic Ferrari’s Head to Head Time on ice gone wonky? I’ve tried to use it several times and it seems like it is missing data. For example, in your chart above Khabibbulin was on the ice against Backstom for 37.9 minutes. Is this just a fluke with goalies or is the entire table off?
Over-reacting Panic Post!
The biggest issue with this team is of course 3C. Cogliano has the defensive accumen of a 2 month old baby seal. We’ve seen this for more than 3 years. Sure, his attitude has changed, but it will litterally take him YEARS to learn how to play a 2-way game, and he won’t learn it playing with brule, or pajaarvi. The swede is definitely a good example, but he doesn’t have the experience to teach cogliano. Hell, I’m not sure Mike Pecca has enough experience to teach Cogliano that trade…
Brule does not look like himself, so give him a few games in the PB. Oh, what? We don’t have anyone we can replace him with because we are carrying 3 goalies? Who could have forseen this…
What’s a GM to do? Well, if the plan is to win…
1 – Send away deslaurier. If you lose him on waivers, no one cares. We know that you won’t, but just to humour you…
2 – Send Hall back to Junior, and failing that demote him. He’s not carrying the mail on that line.
3 – Trade Cogliano. He’s had the same potential upside for years, and he’s not getting any closer to achieving it. He’s a project at this time to become a reliable top 6 forward, and he’s lacking everything to be a bottom six forward. Put him with Horc and Eberle and pump and dump. Maybe you can get a 2nd for the kid.
4 – hire a vet 3c to fill in for a year, until Vande Velde or Lander is ready.
Of course, if the plan isn’t to win… well… we already have a great blueprint for that.
In a hard-hitting interview at intermission, Gene Principe asked Steve Tambellini what exactly his job is now that there is no trade deadline or free agency. Tambellini’s answer, and I’m not kidding “we’re in a period of assesment”.
2 things:
1> I did not know Principe was capable of hard hitting interviews.
2>Tambellini sure knows how to make people crazy. He was in a period of assessment for 2 straight seasons, when the team was useless. After his period of assessment, our team tanked and eh gained clarity. What was the clarity that he achieved? As long as he is in a period of assessment, the team will not be last in the conference?? Bloody idiot. He is never pro-active. He is not making things happen. Only clarity there is that Vancouver was right and Oilers were wrong when it came to management decisions.
Sins can be forgiven but conscience is a killer.
Well, to be fair, it’s probably time for him to assess his previous assessments to see whether his mode of assessment was in fact sound. Because there’s a good possibility that he needs to assess whether or not to reassess the way he assesses players. And that shit takes time.
by Yeti# on Oct 15, 2010 10:23 AM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
1 – Send away deslaurier. If you lose him on waivers, no one cares. We know that you won’t, but just to humour you…
(Reply fail) Given that Thomas Greiss and his $550 K contract cleared this week, I would have few worries about losing JDD and his $1.050 MM pact. In general it seems to be a gentleman’s agreement on waivers anyway.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
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